Aston University Engineering Academy officially Open

The Aston University Engineering Academy has officially welcomed its first students today (Wednesday September 5th), with its aim to develop a creative and innovative workforce for the future.

The £16.5m University Technical College allows students aged from 14 to 19 to specialise in engineering and science alongside core subjects in English, mathematics, languages and business.

The Academy, the first UTC to be sponsored by a University, will also be the first in the UK to deliver apprenticeships.

Based at Birmingham Science Park, Aston and developed in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Aston University Engineering Academy will accommodate 600 students. It will offer students the opportunity to work with leading engineering firms and businesses, including Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce, National Grid, Eon and Goodrich.

Lee Kilgour, Principal of the Aston University Engineering Academy, said the Academy’s aim was very much to develop a new generation of engineers and scientists both locally and nationally.

“The UK is currently facing significant shortages of appropriately qualified engineers in the UK, and we need to bridge this skills gap,” he said.

“Our employer- led apprenticeship programme will ensure young people are able to gain highly regarded, high quality technical qualifications. Our innovative approach to learning focused on industry will ensure our young people are able to develop the skills they need for the workplace. We want to inspire the next generation of young men and women and ensure the UK has an engineering workforce capable of leading the world in current and emerging technologies.”

Professor Dame Julia King, Vice Chancellor at Aston University added; “Birmingham has a great industrial history and I’m absolutely delighted that we have the opportunity to continue developing this proud engineering and manufacturing heritage. Aston University working alongside the Engineering Academy and key employers are developing and delivering a curriculum capable of playing a key role in addressing the manufacturing and engineering technical skills gap in both the West Midlands region and the UK as whole.”

Students at the Aston University Engineering Academy will be able to choose from a range of study programmes alongside core subjects. These include City and Guilds Engineering, STEM A Levels and BTEC National Diploma in Engineering.

For further information visit the Aston University Engineering Academy Website (www.AUEA.co.uk)